Chapter 2 [Yamanuchi—Next Day

Ron sat in a lotus position off to the side of the school's central courtyard in perfect meditation. As Yori had promised upon his arrival, Sensei had worked him hard to resurrect and hone his skills. In addition to the ninja training, they had worked with the Lotus Blade and his monkey powers to be sure he would be ready to use them on missions.

Off to his right, Rufus did the same, focusing on the perfect piece of cheese in his mind but showing no reaction to anything around them.

As he sat there though, he was in tune with the energies around himself. Two birds flew overhead. A breeze across the area, rustling the flowers and tickling his nose. Two of his classmates talked over by the main building. Gentle foot falls whispered across the cobbles.

He smirked but maintained his concentration. Despite the steps being as soft as down alighting on the grass itself, they were like regular sounds to him. "Shouldn't try to sneak up on a ninja." He opened his eyes to find his girlfriend smirking right back at him.

"If I were trying to do, Ron San, certainly I would not approach from the front," Yori retorted, not giving an inch to him. "However, watching you and Rufus San at peace gives me great joy." She smiled as she said that to him.

"Sensei wants me to perfect my awareness," he reminded her.

"And you have come so far in just the short time since your return," she countered.

"Might have something to do with the badical support," he suggested.

She blushed and protested, "You and your American style flirting!"

He got up and looked right into her almond shaped eyes. "What? A guy can't tell the truth to a gal?"

She shrugged. "A guy should always tell such truths." Seeing him smile, she rolled her eyes. "Hai?"

"I want a kiss right now. That's no lie either," he insisted, trying his luck.

"You are so bad!" she laughed.

Then he pulled his trump card. As she looked into his chocolate brown eyes, he pulled his lower lip out and did the mock sulk that he'd seen Kim do so many times.

Having seen the puppy dog pout in western movies, she winced, feeling herself caving in. "That is not fair!"

He didn't respond except to continue exactly what he was doing.

She muttered something inaudible in Japanese before looking around to make sure they were alone. Then she took his face in her hands and locked lips with his, making his whole world pop and turn back on its axis.

As they parted, he gasped.

She arched her eyebrow and giggled at him. "Be careful which truths you tell, Ron San, You might get more than you bargained for. Sensei is waiting for us."

"Okay." Seeing that Rufus was still in his trance, he opted not to disturb his friend. Rather he followed her into the central building where their teacher awaited them.

"Your meditation went well?" Sensei asked expectantly.

"I felt everything as you said," the younger man reported.

"Your dedication is admirable, Stoppable San. Still you will need to maintain your edge if you are to master the Lotus Blade and the tai-sheng-pek-kwar," the older man advised.

"Hai. With your permission, Hirotaka's invited me to spar with him in the Dojo after dinner tonight," Ron revealed.

"Such a match will offer benefits for you both. Very well, Stoppable San, I shall be interested to hear what comes of this," Sensei accepted.

"Domo, Sensei," Ron expressed before they bowed to him and left.

As with Yori, Sensei worried about Ron pushing himself too hard. While he admired the latter's drive and determination, he wanted the younger man to develop a balance in all things.

[Courtyard

"Do you feel better, Ron San?" she asked.

"Yeah, thanks," he replied with a smile as they saw Rufus scamper over to him. "Hey, Buddy, have a good meditation session?"

"Left me," Rufus muttered tersely.

"Sorry. Sensei wanted to see us immediately. I didn't want to distract you," Ron apologized.

"OK," the mole rat accepted, knowing how important Sensei's word was in all things.

"We should head for the dining room. I know how your stomach gets when you are late for meals, Ron San," she teased.

Rufus snickered at the barb,

"Very funny," Ron groused while feeling his stomach indeed growl.